Pet Use Archives | Essential Oil Diffusers Information

What Essential Oils are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs?

Essential oils can be very beneficial to humans, and offer all kinds of mental and physical benefits. But they are not always safe for dogs. In fact, some kind be downright dangerous. If you are a fan of essential oils for your own use, you may be wondering what essential oils are safe to diffuse around dogs. Are there any at all? And if so, would they offer them similar benefits to the ones they provide you with?

These, and are other related to canines essential oil issues, are what we are going to take a closer look at here.

How Essential Oils Affect Your Dogs (and Cats)

It’s crucial to understand the basics of how essential oils function in order to keep your pet safe. Essential oils are fragrant fatty compounds derived from a variety of plants. These chemicals are distilled into a variety of concentrations. Ranging from 100 percent pure essential oil to 1-20 percent concentrations. They are then mixed with a non-aromatic carrier oil. The more concentrated the oil is, the riskier it is for pets.

Essential oils are lipophilic. Meaning they are easily absorbed by the skin or mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth and nose). Which transfer the oils into the bloodstream, where the liver metabolizes and eliminates the majority of them.

Essential oils can also be inhaled as fragrances. Heading down the nose to the olfactory nerves and then to the amygdala, where they elicit a response in the brain’s emotional center. Lavender, for example, has a calming effect, but peppermint has an energizing and energizing effect. Essential oils are used by many people for a variety of health reasons. Including regulating sleep, reducing anxiety, and relieving muscle aches and runny nose. Certain essential oils, in addition to providing aromatherapy, may also work as insect insect repellent, keeping mosquitoes and other bugs at bay.

How Essential Oils are used in the home

Pure essential oils are used in these products: room sprays, perfumes, bath and personal products. Household cleaning products candles, and liquid potpourri. As well as in passive and active diffusers.

Reed diffusers, warmers, and plug-ins are examples of passive diffusers. They all release essential oil aromas into a room, which can cause respiratory discomfort in dogs and cats. Nebulizers and ultrasonic diffusers, emit not just a perfume but also microdroplets of oil that settle on adjacent objects. In addition to causing respiratory irritation, utilizing active diffusers exposes your pet to a greater risk of ingesting the oil on their fur while washing.

Dog Safe Essential Oils Explained

While the majority of essential oils should be avoided by pet parents, a handful are safe for pets when used properly. Lavender, for example, is probably the best essential oil for both cats and dogs when used moderately and in the correct proportion.

When using an oil, it must be diluted and applied correctly. Essential oils’ toxicity is dose-dependent, so the more concentrated the substance is, the more hazardous it might be.

Check with your Veterinarian

Your veterinarian can help you determine the proper dilution and dosage for individual oils, as well as which cat or dog carrier oils to use (such as coconut oil or grapeseed oil). Most pet-friendly oils require at least 1 drop of essential oil to 50 drops of pure carrier oil for adequate dilution.

Keep in mind that even the safest essential oils can irritate the airways if inhaled. Before using an essential oil product advertised for pets – such as shampoo, mists, or relaxing treats – it’s always a good idea to contact your veterinarian about its safety.

Additionally, just because an oil is safe for dogs does not guarantee it will benefit their health. Citrus oils (such as citronella and lemon oils) can theoretically help lessen the severity of flea and tick infestations. As well as the prevalence of mosquitos, when applied to repel pests. However, no scientific studies have shown that these essential oils are completely efficient at preventing disease-carrying external parasites or mosquito bites. As a result, essential oils should never be used instead of veterinary-approved, year-round flea, tick, and heartworm treatment.

Essential Oils That are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs

Cedarwood oil has anti-insect properties. It also has a woody scent that can be very relaxing when diffused into a ‘busy’ room like the living room where you would prefer your pup stay calm.
Chamomile oil also has a calming effect and helps to relax the digestive tract. Some pet parents feel it helps their picky eating pups enjoy their food more.
Citrus oils (such as lemon and orange oil) are insect repellents and deodorizers.
Eucalyptus essential oil
Fennelessential oil
Frankincense oil is being studied as a treatment for bladder cancer in both humans and dogs.
Helichrysum oil is a member of the sunflower family that may help with bleeding problems.
Lavender essential oil has a relaxing effect. These days you can find lots of lavender based canine appeasing pheromone products. Products such as collars, sprays, and diffusers, that may also be of interest to dog parents in addition to standard essential oil diffusion.
Lemongrass essential oil
Mint oils (peppermint and spearmint) can aid with GI distress.
Rose essential oil

Essential Oils that are Harmful to Dogs

The following list is by no means complete, but it does include some of the most toxic essential oils. If in doubt, visit your veterinarian or look up dangerous and non-toxic plants on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) website.

Cassia essential oil
Oils with a tangy smell (such as cinnamon, clove, and oregano): Although cinnamon oil is used in some over-the-counter “natural” flea and tick spot-on treatments and collars because of its purported pest repellent abilities. It is poisonous to dogs and cats and does not provide complete protection against external parasites.
Pennyroyal essential oil
Pine essential oils
Sweet birch essential oil
Melaleuca oil (also known as tea tree oil): The majority of essential oil toxicity cases in dogs and cats are caused by tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antibacterial effects, however it should never be administered to or applied to a dog or cat’s skin or fur. Tea tree oil, even when diluted, can be extremely harmful to a dog or cat if consumed or administered topically.
Thyme essential oil
Wintergreen essential oil

Are Essential Oil Diffusers Bad for Dogs?

Home Use, Pet Use

You’ve brought an essential oil diffuser home with you, and you’re excited to get it set up! Your home will smell wonderful, and you will reap the benefits of aromatherapy essential oils. However, you might be wondering if oil diffusers and dogs can coexist in the same house. Basically, are essential oil diffusers bad for dogs?

Essential oils can be harmful to dogs if used incorrectly, so use caution when using them. Continue reading to find out how to get the most out of your new essential oil diffuser while also keeping your dog safe and healthy.

Essential Oils Explained

Let’s start with a definition of essential oils before we get into whether or not they’re safe for dogs. The term “essential” alludes to these oils being the distilled essence of whatever they’re extracted from. It does not mean that they are necessary for your or your dog’s wellness.

Essential oils can be extracted from plants in a variety of ways, including distillation and pressing. The resultant oil is strong, fragrant, and extremely concentrated. Essential oils must be diluted in some way once they have been concentrated in this way before they may be used on humans or animals safely.

Potential Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils are thought to have a variety of advantages, which vary depending on the oil. Aromatherapy is one of the most important benefits essential oils may bring. In the middle of the day, peppermint oil can give you a surge of energy, while lavender oil can help you relax when you’re stressed.

Tea tree oil, according to some, can help improve your immune response and fight infections. Lemon and peppermint oil may help with digestion, and jasmine oil is claimed to help with anxiety and poor libido. Some people believe that bergamot oil can help with skin diseases such as eczema.

Dogs, Humans and Undiluted Essential Oils

You must not use undiluted essential oils on yourself or your dog, regardless of what type of essential oil you plan to use. On their own, essential oils are extremely strong and can cause chemical burns. Essential oils that have not been diluted can be extremely harmful or even toxic to your dog.

You should never put essential oils directly on your dog, even if they are diluted in a carrier oil. Although diluting these oils helps, they are still far too powerful to be used safely. Furthermore, low-quality essential oils may contain additional substances that are harmful to your dog.

Dogs and Essential Oil Scents

As you have purchased – or will be purchasing an essential oil diffuser and don’t intend to use oils topically but make use of aromatherapy instead, everything should be fine, right? Not quite, if you are a dog parent.

The powerful aroma of essential oils is one of the major drawbacks of using them around dogs. Dogs’ noses contain fifty times the number of olfactory receptors as ours, and their brains devote forty times the amount of space to their sense of smell as ours. Whereas most of us process information largely through sight, dogs process information mostly through smell.

When you put essential oils near a dog, it can completely change their perception of the world. When your dog is navigating without their primary sense, they may become agitated. It’d be like someone placing a large piece of fabric over your face and telling you to go about your business as usual while trying to see through it.

This isn’t to say you can’t use your new essential oil diffuser in the same house or room as your pup, just that you need to keep their enhanced sense of smell in mind when placing your oil diffuser and choosing the essential oils you make use of.

Essential Oils That Pose a Particular Threat to Dogs

Not all essential oils are dangerous to dogs in the same way. Certain oils are more harmful to dogs than others. These oils should be avoided if you plan to utilize an essential oil diffuser in your house.

Tea tree oil, cinnamon oil, and citrus oil are all known to cause vomiting, skin irritation, and other unpleasant effects in dogs. Pennyroyal and wintergreen are both known to cause liver failure in dogs, while ylang-ylang oil can make it difficult for them to breathe. Pine and sweet birch are likewise highly toxic, causing anything from nervous system damage to seizure and death.

Fortunately, certain essential oils are relatively safe to use around dogs. Again, never apply these or any other essential oils directly to their coats, paws, or noses. If you have a dog in the house, however, some oils are fine to use in an oil diffuser.

Copaiba oil can assist boost their immune and nervous systems, while lavender oil can help soothe dogs as well as humans. Frankincense has been shown to enhance your dog’s immune system and digestion. Petitgrain oil may help to soothe agitated dogs, while peppermint oil can make it easier for them to breathe.

Making Use of an Essential Oil Diffuser Around Your Dog Safely

If your dog has any breathing problems, such as asthma, you should avoid using an oil diffuser near them. Some brachiocephalic dog breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs, and Boston terriers, may be more susceptible to breathing problems. Even minor scent changes can make getting enough oxygen difficult for a dog who already has breathing problems.

Make sure your diffuser is out of reach of your pets, regardless of the type of diffuser you’re using. If you plan to use tea tree oil or any of the more toxic oils, keep it in a closed room where your dog won’t be able to get to it. Always measure the amount of oil you apply to avoid overpowering your dog’s sense of smell.

Cleaning your diffuser on a regular basis is also an important component of using it safely. Mold, mildew, and germs can thrive in diffusers that aren’t cleaned regularly. If you then blast this into the room, it could be harmful to both you and your pet’s health.

When you’re done with your diffuser, empty it and wipe it down with a clean rag. Take the bowl out of your diffuser every week or so and give it a gentle clean with dish soap and water. Before reassembling your diffuser, make sure it’s absolutely dry and well rinsed.

What Essential Oils are Safe For Cats?

Home Use, Pet Use

Essential oils are having a moment, with applications ranging from cleaning and personal care to medical treatment and beyond. You may already be using them in your home. But what about your cat? Do essential oils exist for felines? Is it safe to use oils on, or around, cats? If so, what essential oils are safe for cats? Here’s a look at what you, as a cat parent, should know.

What are Essential Oils Anyway?

Essential oils, such as rose and frankincense, are extracts of plants noted for their fragrant and/or therapeutic characteristics. Aromatherapy is the process of breathing dispersed oil or applying it directly to the skin, such as during a massage.

The aroma particles in essential oils move directly from the olfactory nerves to the brain when inhaled, affecting the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center. Olfactory stimuli cause the amygdala to react. Is a whiff of peppermint energizing to you? That’s aromatherapy in action, and essential oils can help you harness its power.

Using Essential Oils in the Home

Essential oils are more readily available than ever before, thanks to an increase in online retailers and a revived interest in natural health care. Cleaning spray, hand sanitizer, scent, laundry, and skin moisturizers are just a few examples of how people are adopting them into their daily lives.

What do cats have to do with any of this? When you have feline roommates, you want to provide a safe environment for them, which means keeping dangerous things out of reach, such as some essential oils.

Essential Oils That are Toxic For Cats

Essential oils, like common houseplants that are toxic to cats, are dangerous in small doses and even more so when concentrated. The following are some of the common essential oils that can be poisonous to cats:

Tea tree
Geranium
Cinnamon
Clove
Eucalyptus
Bergamot
Lavender
Lemon
Lime
Orange
Lemongrass
Rose
Rosemary
Sandalwood
Wintergreen
Peppermint
Spearmint
Mint
Ylang-ylang

Tea Tree Oil: A Special Note of Caution

In particular, Tea Tree Oil is extremely dangerous to cats, although it is safe for dogs. Never use Tea tree oil on cats. Because the poison in tea tree oil is processed by the liver, and a cat’s liver just can’t handle it. If you have dogs and cats, consult your veterinarian before using tea tree oil on them. Be aware that your cat may consume the tea tree oil while grooming themselves or their dog friends.

Are Any Essential Oils Safe for Cats?

In terms of topical applications, no essential oils are considered safe for cats. There are a few essential oils that can be use topically on dogs. But as the feline and canine bodily systems are very different, they should not be used on cats at all.

Does that mean you can’t have essential oils in your home if cats live there? No, but you do have to be careful and keep certain precautions in mind, as we are going to discuss next.

Feline Safe Aromatherapy

The danger of essential oils to cats exists when they ingest them. But, inhaling them from a safe distance can be OK. In fact, some aromatherapy can be as effective for cats as it is for humans.

Aromatherapy is generally helpful to cats if it focuses on calming and relaxing them. It probably won’t put a complete stop to those 3am zoomies – that’s just a cat thing. Some calming scents may help an anxious kitty feel better about their surroundings, or a very hyperactive cat calm down a little.

To this end, Cats, like humans, are comforted by the aroma of lavender, and a blend of lavender, rose, and neroli essential oils creates a fresh, comforting scent that will benefit both you and your cat.

While some essential oils in the citrus family may have calming benefits in humans, this is not the case for cats. In fact, lemon and other citrus fruits are frequently recommended for keeping cats away from certain areas, such as that houseplant you don’t want him to eat. Yes, lemon balm can help you relax, but it won’t help your cat.

Using Essential Oil Diffusers Around Your Cat

As it is imperative that your cat does not have any chance to ingest essential oils. An essential oil diffuser is a safer way to make use of the power of aromatherapy in your home. To avoid any chance of accidental ingestion, choose a diffuser that vaporizes the oils before they are released into the room, rather than one that sprays them.

The good news is that there are lots of such essential oil diffusers available. As long as you make sure they are kept well out of reach of your curious cat. Every cat parent knows how fond cats are of knocking things over – they can be used around your kitty. Adding an oil diffuser to a higher spot they can’t reach can also help the scent spread out throughout the room more efficiently if you are making use of a vaporizing diffuser, as steam rises.

You’ll also need, however, to consider the scent level when you use essential oils around your cat. Because cats are more sensitive to fragrances than their human friends, try using a hydrosol instead of a concentrated essential oil.

Hydrosols are the distilled water left behind after steaming plants, herbs, fruits, and flowers, and are also known as “flower waters.” If you can’t find a hydrosol you like, try adding a few drops of oil to distilled water to reduce the olfactory impact to your feline friend when the scent is released into the air.

You can spritz a little hydrosol in your cats favorite lounging location or use it as a room fragrance to help her relax. A few drops of essential oil can also be added to a water diffuser for that lighter scent your cat will prefer.

Which Essential Oils are Safe for Dogs?

Home Use, Pet Use

Essential oils can be used to help you do all kinds of things. For waking yourself up in the morning – peppermint oil is great for that. To help you relax and unwind in the evening and even do things like help relieve aches and pains faster. But which Essential Oils are Safe for Dogs?

Lots of pet parents wonder why not extend the benefits to their dogs. As todays society, continues to say no to potentially harmful medicines and investigate holistic healing options? What if a little lavender, instead of an anti-anxiety medicine, might go a long way? Natural essential oils have grown extremely popular in recent years, but can they be used for dogs?

The answer is yes, essential oils can be used to help dogs, but you need to begin doing so with care. Before you start, you will need to make sure you know which essential oils are safe for dogs and other pets like cats. Because their sense of smell is so much stronger than ours, scents (even natural ones) can be harmful to them.

What Essential Oils are Safe for Dogs?

There are a number of essential oils considered safe for dogs. Here’s a look at some of the most commonly used of those oils and the benefits they can offer to your pet.

Chamomile Oil

A good seat on the sofa, a comfortable blanket, and a cup of chamomile tea are hard to top. Chamomile has relaxing properties that our pets can benefit from as well.

A popular stress reliever, chamomile has been documented in medicinal books dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It has been utilized in humans for a variety of purposes over the centuries, including all the following:

Anxiety relief
Easing skin conditions like eczema or rashes
Pain relief for conditions like back pain, neuralgia, or arthritis
Promoting better sleep
Easing digestive upset, such as indigestion, nausea, or gas
Wound healing, including ulcers and sores

But how can it help your pup? Let’s say you are house-sitting your bestie’s obnoxious chihuahua, and it is causing your own laid-back canine pal some distress. Consider giving him or her a few drops of chamomile oil. It may help them relax and quieten down an unsettled stomach.

Also, if you have adopted a shy or fearful dog, a few drops of chamomile oil may help them learn to mingle better at the dog park and accept their new surroundings with a little more confidence and calm.

Ginger Essential Oil

The same way that a cup of hot ginger tea, or some ginger essential oil added to a diffuser, can clear our sinuses, or calm our tummies, dogs can benefit from it as well.

It can aid them if they are having stomach issues, and it can also make it easier for them to breathe. Ginger may also be able to aid them with some of their joint problems, especially in older dogs. Your favorite essential oils have many uses, which is true of ginger oil, which can be beneficial to both your dog and you!

Lavender Essential Oil

Of all the essential oils humans make use of and find very beneficial, lavender is probably the most popular and versatile. Like chamomile, it has been used for centuries for a number of holistic medical purposes.

Lavender is a very versatile oil. Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial qualities have all been attributed to it. As well as antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifying, hypotensive, and sedative characteristics.

It is often used for its calming and relation properties that it is most helpful for dogs. Lots of dogs suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave. In some this manifests itself in crying, barking and what seems like anxiety. In others in results in destructive behavior that can be very frustrating for pet owners.

Diffusing lavender oil is a tried and tested way to help ease separation anxiety and keep your pup calmer and happier when you are not there. If you make use of a carrier oil – mixing lavender essential oil with olive oil, for example, you could even apply a few drops behind your dog’s ears. Put it where they cannot lick it off, this may help to provide continuous stress relief until you get home!

Petitgrain Essential Oil

Petitgrain is a lesser-known essential oil – although it is becoming more popular. It can also be extremely helpful in relieving separation anxiety in dogs and general restlessness. Petitgrain may also do the same for humans, so is an excellent choice for use in an essential oil diffuser.

Citrus aurantium, the bitter orange tree, produces petitgrain oil. The bitter orange tree was brought to Paraguay in the 19th century from Southern China, and it today thrives in this part of the world. Three essential oils are produced by the bitter orange tree. Petitgrain oil is steam distilled from the tree’s twigs and leaves, yielding a pleasant, flowery, and herbaceous essential oil.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary is a culinary herb that comes from the mint family and has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. This essential oil has a woodsy scent and is a popular aromatherapy ingredient. Rosemary oil has a wide range of applications, from treating ailments and pains like headaches and joint pain to encouraging hair growth, making it a useful household item to have on hand to help both you and your dog!

Myrrh Essential Oil

This oil has often been shown to aid dogs with skin irritations. Myrrh is a fantastic cleanser since it possesses antibacterial as well as astringent characteristics. Mixed it in equal parts with a carrier oil like olive oil. It may help clear up inflamed skin areas from skin allergies or even after a nasty nettle sting at the dog park.

What Essential Oils are Safe to Diffuse Around Dogs?

How Essential Oils Affect Your Dogs (and Cats)

How Essential Oils are used in the home